Softgel related technologies

Softgels are an effective delivery system for oral drugs, especially those with low solubility and/or permeability (BCS Classes II, III and IV). The softgel fill solution can contain ingredients which help increase solubility and permeability. These ingredients are mainly liquids or semisolids which are difficult to incorporate into other solid dosage forms, like tablets.

Formulation Strategies:

In order to improve bioavailability, some strategies focused on increasing solubility/permeability are depicted:

Containment strategy for the manufacturing of highly potent compounds.

Improve content uniformity of low dose compounds.

Tamper evident.

Counterfeiting prevention.

Suitable for liquid and semisolid APIs.

Easier to swallow.

Improved patient acceptance and preference.

Many shapes, sizes and colors for differentiation.

Softigel is an ideal partner for softgels which satisfy the following characteristics:

Pharmaceutically acceptable for oral use.

Sufficiently soluble to dissolve a given dose in a small volume.

Yield a fill formulation that is stable and compatible with the shell materials.

Prevent precipitation of the solubilized compound during manufacturing, shelf-life, and if possible, upon contact with the aqueous environment in vitro (dissolution) and in vivo (GIT). (Why is this point in bold when the others are not?)

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Another of Softigel´s patented technologies, these polysaccharide-based soft shell capsules are free from animal derivatives, and contain carrageenan, modified starch, plasticizers and water. They offer opportunities to bring more products to market, better acceptance by religious and vegetarian groups, and compatibility with a broader range of high pH fill formulations. Vegetarian capsules technology may be applied to traditional Softgels, G-Tabs™, and Unigels™.

Same advantages as Soft Gelatin Capsules, but free of animal derivatives.

Available in the same range of shapes and sizes as Soft Gelatin Capsules.

Compatible with current types of softgel fill contents but with a broader acceptable pH range.

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Capsules where the shell is composed of two pieces, a body and a cap, containing either a blend of powders or liquid fill formulations. The formulator is able to prepare products that have specific rapid, controlled, or modified release characteristics. Hard capsules can be filled with formulations that have a wide range of physical properties from dry solids to non-aqueous solutions.